THE MALTREATMENT, ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN IS A SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT DAMAGES CHILDREN PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AND INFLICTS IMMEASURABLE HARM ON SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, AND ALL CHILDREN DESERVE TO BE NURTURED, PROTECTED AND FREE FROM PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM.
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BELIEVE THAT THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE CHILDREN IS AMONG STRONG, HEALTHY FAMILIES.
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A CONTINUUM OF COMMUNITY-BASED CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS THAT ARE CULTURALLY COMPETENT, STRENGTH-BASED AND FAMILY-CENTERED AND THAT ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR PARENTING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AS WELL AS EMPOWER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN.
THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EMBRACES THE STANDARDS FOR PREVENTION PROGRAMS DEVELOPED BY THE NEW JERSEY TASK FORCE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SCHOOLS, COURTS AND MEDIA OUTLETS, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, HAVE JOINED FORCES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN STRENGTHENING FAMILIES DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL AND CONTINUING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.